Whitehouse Farm, a popular attraction near Morpeth, Northumberland, has been served with a second enforcement notice for planning breaches. The farm has been ordered to dismantle a covered walkway constructed during the Coronavirus pandemic to support its Christmas events.
Retrospective Permission Refused
Retrospective planning permission for the walkway was sought in August 2025 but was refused by Northumberland County Council in May 2026. An enforcement notice has now been issued, and the farm has begun the process of removing the structure.
This is the second enforcement notice served on Whitehouse Farm this year. Earlier, the farm was ordered to remove a cover over its accessible and inclusive playground, which was also built without planning permission.
Owner's Response
Heather Hogarty, of Whitehouse Farm, stated that bosses are "trying their best" to devise an alternative Christmas event but find it "difficult to stay positive after the latest setback from the planning department." She noted that around 3,000 trees had been planted on the site and that work had been done to support red squirrels in the area.
Council's Stance
A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council commented: "While it would be unfair of us to comment publicly on a live case, we can confirm the following. We have received numerous complaints about this site and this situation, which involves a developer seeking retrospective planning permission for works they have already carried out. In this case, the developer was clearly advised that planning permission was required but decided to proceed with the development regardless. We have acted reasonably throughout this process."
The spokesperson added: "When the developer appealed recently to the independent Planning Inspectorate, the inspector agreed with the Council that the progressive building was inappropriate in the Green Belt. The damage caused to the ecology of the site is regrettable."
